A SPECIAL police unit is cracking down on the abuse of the vulnerable and elderly by their carers in Swindon.

Unbelievably, some of the cases involve allegations of sexual abuse.

"We've had many of those to investigate," said Detective Constable Tina Miles, Swindon's vulnerable adults officer.

More common, however, are physical assaults, psychological cruelty, fraud or callous neglect.

The purge of the pensioner-bashers in Swindon coincides with a Government investigation by the Health Committee into the scandal of a national epidemic of abuse against the frail and helpless in society.

But the message this Christmas from the police, plus the many care agencies working in partnership with them, is that there is no hiding place for the predators who make life a misery for the defenceless.

If you are one of the brutes, then someone at this very moment is probably blowing the whistle on you, say the police.

The Swindon special squad, which fields scores of tip-offs every week, has a reputation that is the envy of other forces, it is claimed.

No more than one or two complaints a week lead to a serious police operation because most are resolved by Social Services and other care agencies working within the partnership.

Swindon was one of the first towns to introduce a specialist team in this category of crime detection.

"It all goes on in Swindon confirmed," said DC Miles. "But the over-riding message is that we're on top of it and there's no need for the relatives of the elderly in residential or nursing homes to panic."

Detective Inspector Paul Jennings, head of the vulnerable adults unit, said that the fact there was a need for a specialist action force "speaks for itself".

No police force is flushed with cash. They will spend it only where there is a dire need.

Whenever DC Miles receives a tip-off that an elderly person's life might be at risk due to ill-treatment, she has a team removing that threatened person from the dangerous environment "immediately".

She explained: "In serious cases, normally we reckon to get the person to safety within 24 hours.

"But when it's life-or-death, then we act immediately. I've already done that many times. I don't hesitate. I don't hang about. You dare'nt."

As sick as it is, DC Miles has had to tackle "a lot" of sexual aggression against the housebound and helpless elderly.

There is also abuse in elderly people's own homes, where the carers are relatives or neighbours.

But to DC Miles and her network of collaborating agencies, the venue is irrelevant. All that matters is that the perpetrators are brought to book.

"We have had quite a few major investigations," said Insp Jennings. "In serious cases, I don't hesitate to initiate a covert surveillance operation.

"The clear message is that if you abuse, you'll be pursued. There is no hiding place. We will get you."

Doug Bale, who heads Swindon Social Services' vulnerable adults team, said: "We have a long way to go, but we have the commitment. Our target is utopia no abuse whatsoever. But we're realistic and accept that that will never be achieved, though we must never stop aiming for it. And we won't."

Much of the whistle-blowing relates to vulnerable adults who do not have official carers of any sort.

The special unit is responsible for policing all cases of abuse against anyone over the age of 18 who is deemed "vulnerable", making it an extension of child protection.

Swindon South MP Julia Drown has passed on a "handful" of cases to the "appropriate authorities". Ms Drown applauds the work of Swindon's investigators and also the army of carers, most of whom are "a national treasure" and unsung heroes.